We sat down at a table with our coffee. I’m not one to waste much time and jumped right to the issue.

“What’s up? You are clearly down. Why? What’s going on in your life?”

“I don’t know. The Preds lost last night.”

I knew him well enough to know that his hockey team losing a game was not the cause of his change in attitude. Here was a guy who would regularly bounce off of walls with his energy.

I didn’t even need to say anything. He could read skepticism in my face. If he missed it, I would recommend he check his vision.

“Ok. I just feel unappreciated at work. I turn something in, and I just get overloaded with more and more. Every once in a while, a little recognition would be nice. Maybe a bonus? Heck, even a beer would be cool.”

Appreciation. It’s what William James says is the greatest human need.

Stay at home moms (or dads): you know what this is about more than most. Thankless chores. Constant demands. And the world shows little respect for your efforts.

You should change your perspective.

More work may equal appreciation. Your boss may be recognizing your good work by giving you more work. He may not be expressing it in the way that you want to hear it, but for some people this is how it works. More work = great job! When you think of it that way, you may find ways to utilize this for your benefit.